Clitheroe made it five wins on the spin to avenge an early-season mauling at the hands of Trafford and showed that the current surge in form is no flash in the pan. Clitheroe were always the more dangerous side going forward but didn’t seal victory until two goals in the final seven minutes.

Blues keeper Hanford was called in to action early on before Clitheroe began to get a grip on the game. It was no surprise that the marauding trio of Zach Clarke, Nathan Taylor and Danny Williams were in the thick of the action.

All three went close to breaking the deadlock in the latter stages of the first half, Taylor going closest with a curling effort that hit the post. The second half belonged to Clitheroe and Taylor wasted or was denied in four one-on-ones in the opening 20 minutes.

Trafford took a surprise lead 15 minutes from time but Clitheroe finally took the lead in the 83rd minute when Taylor finally converted a chance after a surging run from Clarke.

And the game was put to bed when sub Jerrome Matthews raced forward and slammed the ball home from 30 yards out.